Trend Meter then & now: Reassessing where UF stands with the Week-3 official visitors

From June 14-16 the Florida Gators hosted 13 official visitors. One day after those visits ended, we gave our take on where Billy Napier ‘s program stood with each visitor? Today, we’re circling back to look at how things sit with these players as of Tuesday.

4-star RB Waltez Clark , Tampa (Fla.) Plant — FLORIDA COMMIT
JUNE 17 THOUGHTS: Clark says he’s locked in with the Gators and won’t be officially visiting anyone else. Trending: Holding steady
TODAY: UCF apparently made a significant push that Florida was able to hold off. Clark’s relationship with Florida running backs coach Jabbar Juluke has the Gators in a strong spot. Trending : Up

5-star WR Vernell Brown III , Orlando (Fla.) Jones
JUNE 17 THOUGHTS: Brown has one remaining official (this week to FSU) and then hopes to announce his decision in July. Some thought Florida had a slight edge entering his official to Gainesville — and it sounds like that trip went well. The Gators seem to be in a good spot at the moment. Trending: Up
TODAY: FSU hosted Brown the following week during its blowout official visit weekend. All indications are, things tightened up after that trip. That said, we still think the arrow is pointing toward Gainesville here as Brown sees the opportunity to help the Gators return to the top. Trending : Up

4-star S Hylton Stubbs , Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin
JUNE 17 THOUGHTS: Stubbs’ official visit showed the USC Trojans commit sides of Florida he hadn’t seen — and parts he already knew well and always has liked. The Gators have regained some momentum, but he wants to see how Florida, USC and Miami perform this fall. Trending: Moving in the right direction
TODAY: Most thought Stubbs would de-commit from USC — and he did last week. However, Miami hosted him the weekend after his trip to Gainesville and now seems to have all the momentum ahead of his July 4 commitment date. One has to think this recruitment is driving the Florida staff a little crazy, given this could be the second time he’s committed elsewhere after the Gators thought they led. Trending : Away

Can the Florida Gators strike again in south Florida?

4-star S Bryce Fitzgerald , Miami Christopher Columbus
JUNE 17 THOUGHTS: With only a Miami official remaining, a Florida-FSU battle has emerged and there is optimism in Gainesville. Trending: Up
TODAY: Most of the chatter continues to be about Florida and FSU. He probably will have a summer decision and the Gators definitely are a player here. Trending: Up

4-star EDGE Cedric Works , Dayton (Ohio) Northmont
JUNE 17 THOUGHTS: This remains a difficult recruitment to read based on what Works has said publicly. He’s not a big talker, but Works did confirm Florida, Kentucky and Penn State are the programs to watch. His father is a Florida native and perhaps that can give the Gators a boost. Trending: Neutral
TODAY: Committed to Kentucky on June 27. Trending: Away

UF continues to pursue 2 Auburn commits

4-star OT Tavaris Dice , Fairburn (Ga.) Langston Hughes — AUBURN COMMIT
JUNE 17 THOUGHTS: One week after Auburn strengthened its grip during his Tigers official, Florida closed the gap. Dice’s comfort level in Gainesville grew significantly over the weekend and the Gators once again are strongly in the mix. We’d still give Auburn a slight edge but Dice appears to be a little torn. Trending: Progress was made … but there remains work to do.
TODAY: Our intel indicates Auburn continues to lead. Trending: Away

4-star DL Malik Autry , Opelika (Ala.) High — AUBURN COMMIT
JUNE 17 THOUGHTS: Autry usually is one of the most talkative recruits in the class, but he declined to be interviewed when departing his Gators visit. It that a good sign for Florida or bad? We don’t know. Meanwhile, sources say his visit over the weekend went great — and Florida thinks Autry’s multiple trips to Gainesville mean something. Trending : Holding steady
TODAY: Autry officially visited Ohio State the following weekend and one of his good friends has since committed to the Buckeyes. That program now has some optimism. That said, most of our sources think he’ll stick with Auburn. Trending: Away

UF-FSU battle for top linebacker in Georgia?

4-star LB Tavion Wallace , Jesup (Ga.) Wayne County
JUNE 17 THOUGHTS: FSU led entering his visit to Gainesville but now it’s essentially a tie at the top after the Gators made their move. Wallace has visited Florida multiple times, but this trip stands out. Georgia remains in the mix, but FSU is Florida’s biggest concern according to sources as he visits the ‘Noles this weekend ahead of his July 2 commitment. Trending : Up
TODAY: Following his official visit to Tallahassee the following weekend, Wallace publicly called the ‘Noles his leader. But communication between Wallace and the Gators has continued into the 11th hour, so perhaps Florida has a chance. NIL is the great unknown. How much of a factor will it be and who has the edge there with Wallace set to announce his commitment Tuesday at approximately 6:30 p.m. ET? Trending : Away … but Florida continues to battle

4-star S Lagonza Hayward , Lyons (Ga.) Toombs County
JUNE 17 THOUGHTS: The Gators, according to Hayward, have moved in front of South Carolina and Tennessee following this visit and sources tell Gators Online that Florida’s confidence level is high. The Gators aren’t at the finish line yet, however, and Hayward visits the Vols this coming weekend. He’ll announce a decision in late July. Trending : Up
TODAY: Right now, there probably is more chatter about Tennessee than Florida or South Carolina. Hayward is expected to announce a commitment July 27 so there are still a few weeks for this one to sort itself out. Trending : To be determined.

4-star WR Donovan Olugbode , Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy
JUNE 17 THOUGHTS: Olugbode seems to have had a productive visit and likes the opportunity he might have to play early, but it’s hard to tell if the Gators made any sort of move. USC and Missouri are the others to watch and there is more chatter about those two schools at the moment. We’re still trying to flush this one out for more info. Trending : Away
TODAY: After circling back on this one, it seems optimism is higher in Gainesville than originally thought and there is a feeling there the Gators are a major contender. Olugbode’s recruitment remains a bit of a mystery. Trending : Too close to call.

The Florida Gators are a factor for the No. 1 LB in the country

4-star LB Ty Jackson , Loxahatchee (Fla.) Seminole Ridge:
JUNE 17 THOUGHTS: Both sides seem pleased with how this visit went. That Jackson, On3’s No. 1 linebacker, got lots of personal time with Napier and defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong was significant, we’re told. According to our intel, the Gators view themselves as a top contender and see Georgia as probably being the biggest threat at the moment entering Jackson’s upcoming official to Alabama. Trending : In the right direction
TODAY: Jackson plans to attend the Florida-Miami game — along with games as a few other colleges this season. He’s going to take this recruitment deep into the calendar year so don’t expect any big movement for awhile. The Gators are a strong factor but there’s a long way to go and a lot to unfold. Trending : Holding steady

3-star TE Caden Piening , Cincinnati (Ohio) Anderson — UCF COMMIT
JUNE 17 THOUGHTS: Although he gave his visit strong reviews, Piening said he’d rate it in the 8 or 8.5 range while his recent UCF official got a 10. Unless he’s being coy, that doesn’t sound like a good sign for Florida. The good news: There are many strong options at tight end. Trending : Away
TODAY: Florida now has two tights ends commit and Piening seems to be locked in with UCF. Trending : Away

2024 RECRUIT — Unranked OT Jahzare Jackson
JUNE 17 THOUGHTS: Florida led going into the former basketball prospect’s visit and still leads coming out of it. He plans to visit FSU, Mississippi State and Georgia then have a decision in the next couple weeks. But for the Gators, so far, so good. Trending : Up
TODAY: Jackson will announce a commitment July 8 — and Georgia is trending. Trending : Away

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